MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 16, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- SimpleTech, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEC), today announced the Single Chip Drive, a true plug-and-play, solid-state flash drive in a small form factor. The Single Chip Drive combines a standard IDE or USB interface with the latest Single Level Cell NAND Flash technology in a 50-ball BGA package, making it ideal for designers who are seeking high reliability, short design cycles, ease of integration and fast time to market. SimpleTech's patented IC Tower(r) Stacking Technology enables the Single Chip Drive to reach the highest capacity in the industry in this small form factor, with capacities ranging from 128MB to 4GB. SimpleTech will showcase the new Single Chip Drive at the Electronica 2006 conference, Nov 14-17, 2006 at New Munich Trade Fair Center in Munich (Hall 6, Stand 754).
Customers that have traditionally been using Compact Flash, due to its ease-of-integration and standard IDE interface, now have an alternative solution. If there is no true need for a removable storage device, the Single Chip Drive can lower the bill of material cost and the manufacturing cost, as designers can remove the CF connector from their board, thereby reducing board real estate, material cost and costly manufacturing steps. By providing the Single Chip Drive in both IDE and USB interface, designers have additional flexibility to choose the interface that best suits their design.
The Single Chip Drive incorporates a high performance Flash controller IC which ensures optimal reliability. There are many potential problems associated with embedded use of NAND flash, such as reliability, endurance, and data retention. All of these potential design issues related to NAND flash integration are addressed by the advanced flash management software that is integrated in the Single Chip Drive. As a result, the product is ideal for numerous applications, particularly those demanding high reliability, lower cost, and mobility. The product is currently deployed within automotive location devices, networking equipment, point-of-sale terminals, as well as many other applications.
"Our customers are constantly looking for innovative ways to implement high reliability memory and storage solutions while reducing total system cost," said Patrick Wilkison, vice president of marketing and business development at SimpleTech. "The Single Chip Drive reflects our continued commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers by providing reliable flash solutions with optimized cost structures."
Reliability and Endurance
SimpleTech incorporates state-of-the-art flash memory controller technology in the Single Chip Drive, providing high data reliability and endurance. The built-in ECC engine can detect up to 5-byte errors and correct up to 4-byte errors, while sophisticated wear leveling algorithms guarantee 2,000,000 Write/Erase Cycles. All Single Chip Drive products are made in the United States at SimpleTech's ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified manufacturing facility.
Form Factor
Single Chip Drive is available in a 50-ball package and is available with either a single flash device, or two stacked flash devices by using SimpleTech's patented IC Tower(r) Stacking Technology. The USB Single Chip Drive is available in a 12mm x 21mm x 3mm package (5.0mm for stacked package); the IDE Single Chip Drive is offered in a 21mm x 19mm x 3mm package (4.8mm for stacked package).
Service and Warranty
SimpleTech ensures long-term product availability and non-obsolescence. All Single Chip Drives carry a standard five year warranty. Extended warranties are also available.
Pricing and Availability
Single Chip Drive is available today in Engineering Samples in capacities up to 4GB, with mass production planned for January 2007. OEM pricing is available upon request. Sales information is available at http://www.simpletech.com/oem/, via email at info@simpletech.com or by calling (949) 476-1180.
About SimpleTech
SimpleTech, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets custom and open-standard memory and storage solutions based on Flash, DRAM and hard disk drive technologies. With headquarters in Santa Ana, California, the company specializes in developing high performance and high-density memory modules, memory cards and storage products. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.simpletech.com.
The SimpleTech logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1079
Safe Harbor
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the performance of Single Chip Drive products, and concerning increase in SimpleTech Inc.'s revenues and profitability. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements are detailed under "Risk Factors" in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made from time to time by SimpleTech, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K. Other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include the following risks: Single Chip Drive products may not perform in the manner anticipated, customer demand for such products may not grow as projected and new technological advancements in the field might produce more competitive products. SimpleTech undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SimpleTech is a registered trademark of SimpleTech, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.